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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Teamsters Local 769 has been certified by the National Labor
Relations Board as the exclusive collective bargaining representatives for
Con-Way Freight, Inc. employees in Hialeah Florida.

” We’re glad the company did not pursue frivolous objections
to the election and we look forward to collecting contract proposals and
beginning collective bargaining.”, said Teamsters Local 769 President and
Principal Officer Mike Scott.

Congratulations to our Con-Way brothers and sisters and we
welcome you as our newest members of Teamsters Local 769. We look forward to
negotiating a strong contract for the future of you and your families.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Buffalo DSR here...the NLRB is investigating ULP charges brought by the union against Conway . As such the vote is postponed until the investigation is completed.

Charges were filed on 12/12/14 due to the overwhelming violations committed by the company and the union busters over the last 4 weeks.

These anti-union actions have made it impossible to get a fair, intimidation & coercion free vote administered by the NLRB, at this time.

The charges listed on the NLRB web site list the categories of the violations, but not the specific charges, which are numerous.

Conway has made EVERY effort to block a fair election with...

1. LIES - the union busters have all but guaranteed that Conway will give as their "last, best and final" offer a contract which gives us less that we now have, and when we do not ratify this "last, best and final" offer Conway will just unilaterally implement the terms of the offer. If we do not accept the terms offered, we were told a strike would most likely be imminent and we would all wined up in bankruptcy because the union would not offer strike pay.

2. THREATS - to close the terminal, and or rout freight around us

3. TWISTED FACTS - making the salaries of the union leadership an issue, but they never mentioned that even though Hoffa makes 300K a year, Stotler makes over 1 million

4. INTIMIDATION, FEAR AND SOMKE & MIRROR PRESENTATIONS - the issues are fair treatment, medical, PTO and retirement to name a few, Steve Beyer made up his own issues, the teamsters only want our dues, a contract will be forced down our throat as soon as Conway agrees to a "dues check off" and a "security agreement", a strike is inevitable and as a result we all will loose everything we have

5. BRIBERY - food every day for 4 weeks straight, when we all know we are lucky to get 2 pizzas a month, and randomly passing out Tim Horton's gift cards

We have THE RIGHT to have this vote intimidation free, coercion free, with all the CORRECT facts, and without lies and misrepresentations.

And once the NLRB has completed their investigation, found Conway guilty of these charges and appropriate action is taken we will have our vote, and we will be VICTORIOUS!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

We won our election in Laredo, TX but we still have to deal with a bunch of garbage from our manager Ted Garcia. He is the reason why we seeked out the union and achieved our goal. He is a master at lying and he does what he can to keep us divided. He will not miss a chance to bad mouth the union and he’s been a perpetrator of sexual harassment. All in all, the man is a piece of crap. We are tired of him. He did everything he could to thwart the union but he failed. Now he’s pushing for a new election because he claims the union coerced people into voting it in. In fact, it was Conway that deployed all the dirty tricks they could to stop us. There will never be another election here, even if there was one, we would win again. We survived to win, we made it through having rats like Hector Menchaca. This man has been responsible for many drivers being let go and even had a manager rudy ruiz dismissed. This is just the kind of man Conway loves to have on the payroll. All he’s done is bad mouth other drivers, pointed out when other drivers make mistakes, and just flat out spread lies. He even got into a supervisors ear so much that the the workers quit working for him. He accused of sexual harassment but management has concealed it. There’s nothing Conway loves like a man on the inside policing everyone else. They will do what they can to protect each other. Those days are coming to an end though.

WASHINGTON -- Federal officials unveiled new rules on Friday that will streamline and simplify the union election process, a reform long sought by labor unions and fiercely opposed by businesses.

Among other changes, the rules issued by the National Labor Relations Board will limit some of the litigation that can precede a union election, making it harder for parties to stall or drag out the process. The reforms will also allow unions to file election petitions and other documents via email, and they will require employers to provide unions with the email addresses and phone numbers of workers eligible to vote.

Many employers favor the older, slower election process, as it gives them more time to dissuade workers from unionizing. The reforms announced Friday have long been discussed and debated, and businesses have argued that they would infringe on the businesses' free speech rights and lead to "ambush" or "quickie" elections.

The labor board -- or at least its left-leaning majority appointed by President Barack Obama -- disagrees. In a statement Friday, the agency said the changes would "modernize" procedures and allow it to "more effectively administer" the laws on collective bargaining. In a sign of the partisan divide at play, the rules were approved by the board's three liberal members, while its two conservative members dissented.

Labor groups have long bemoaned the current process as outdated and tied up with red tape, giving employers ample time to bust unions. Companies often dispute which workers should belong in the bargaining unit -- that is, the people who would be covered by the union contract -- and the reforms announced Friday will shift that litigation to after the election. Employers will also have to prove that a review of the election is warranted, as opposed to merely requesting one.

Mark Gaston Pearce, the labor board's chairman, said in a statement that he was "heartened" that the board is enacting the amendments.

"Simplifying and streamlining the process will result in improvements for all parties," Pearce said. "With these changes, the Board strives to ensure that its representation process remains a model of fairness and efficiency for all."

The rules were announced in the Federal Register on Friday and will go into effect on April 14, 2015.

The board put forth a similar batch of rules more than three years ago, drawing heat from various business lobbying groups as well as congressional Republicans. After a federal court ruled that the board had lacked a quorum when it issued them, the board formally withdrew those rules early this year. It had been expected to reissue similar rules now that it has five confirmed board members.

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, applauded the announcement of the rules Friday.

"The modest but important reforms to the representation election process announced today by the National Labor Relations Board will help reduce delay in the process and make it easier for workers to vote on forming a union in a timely manner," Trumka said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation, an industry lobby, said it was considering "both a legal and legislative strategy" to block the rules from going into effect, calling them "the latest attempt by the Obama Administration to aid their allies in Big Labor at the expense of employers and employees."

Republicans in Congress have already held hearings on what they deem the "ambush" election rules and may well hold more once the GOP takes control of both chambers next year. They could potentially try to block the rules from going into effect -- though not in the immediate future, since members of Congress are already far along in hammering out a deal this week to fund the government. By waiting to release the rules Friday, the labor board may at least have avoided a GOP-sponsored rider in the spending bill that could gut the rules.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Miami is ready for their upcoming vote. Conway is as well, as they are busy
doing their best at lying to us. They have salespeople spewing lies about
shippers not doing business with union companies. They also have a letter of
guarantees from CEO Greg Numskull. They are nothing but lies because if they
weren't he would make that a legal, binding agreement. All it is a bunch of
bullshit to pacify us and to get us to reject the union. They are breaking the
law by trying to bribe us with raises and false promises. We have to be ready
for this, don't believe anything Conway says, don't believe any drivers they
send to your terminal to tell you how bad the union is. We are ready in Miami
and will also stand behind our brothers in Buffalo. One at a time we will break
their stranglehold on us and on our future.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

An at-will employee can be
fired at any time, for any reason. If Conway decides to let you go, that’s the
end of your job and you have very limited legal rights to fight your
termination. Without union contract we are employed at will, Conway does
not need good cause to fire any of us.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

I have been informed by my union rep that we will be having a CONTRACT proposal meeting sometime in December. We will not wait for the company bullshit on the bogus charges that were brought up against us. We will move forward and have a meeting on what we want in OUR CONTRACT. The company and Paul Styers are delaying the process! We should all go into his office and demand that he stop the bullshit and certify our election.

Paul Styers stop violating our rights, Stop playing your games with us!! And that goes for ALL the SCM especially ULA's Mark Logan, Keep playing your stupid games Mark, you think this is over ?? Think again asshole!

We will keep you informed on the time and date of this VERY IMPORTANT meeting. Even if you voted no for the union this meeting will affect you. This is what will be in our contract so if care YOU BETTER ATTEND

Drivers In Charlotte Seek Job Security, Improved Health Plan, Pension

“This victory is about drivers wanting respect on the job, improved health care coverage and to be treated fairly,” said Roger Dale Jones, a 20-year road driver at FedEx Freight. “It feels great to have representation from the Teamsters.”

“Like the drivers in Philadelphia and in South Brunswick, N.J., who voted to join the Teamsters, the workers in Charlotte want to be treated fairly and they want to have consistent, fair work rules,” said Steve Bess, President of Teamsters Local 71 in Charlotte. “The company ramped up its vicious anti-worker, anti-union campaign here, but the drivers remained strong and focused. Rather than lying to the workers, the company should use the money to provide better benefits for the workers and their families.”

This victory follows two previous ones: On Oct. 31, a group of 113 drivers at FedEx Freight in South Brunswick, N.J., joined Teamsters Local 701 in North Brunswick, N.J., and on Oct. 14, a group of 47 drivers in Croydon, Pa., voted to join Teamsters Local 107 in Philadelphia. Other campaigns at FedEx Freight and at Con-way Freight are under way across the country.

“With these three victories, drivers are making it loud and clear to the company that they are fed up with FedEx Freight,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “Our campaign continues to roll and FedEx Freight drivers are showing they will fight for fairness, respect and dignity.”

The workers’ campaigns to join the Teamsters have already paid off. At FedEx Freight, the company announced an 80-cent-per-hour raise a few days after Local 107 filed for an

election, and the company got rid of its overly punitive driver scorecard, which gives drivers infraction points for errors. Also, after organizing got under way at Con-way, the company announced it would increase truck driver pay by $60 million in 2015, and other improvements.

“The companies are offering pay raises and other improvements at the same time we are organizing, but the workers know that these things can be taken away just as quickly without a legally binding contract,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “The unfulfilled promises that have been made to drivers and dockworkers over the past decade are coming back to haunt management.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

hiring supervisor, abi from xau, no one is being pressured to support our union organizing it's conway management pressuring and intimidating us from exercising our right to vote for union representation.

Teamsters step up union drive at FedEx Freight, Con-way

CHICAGO (Reuters) - After years of failed efforts, the Teamsters union has won a toehold in the trucking units of FedEx and Con-way and is targeting more facilities at both, potentially threatening what analysts see as a core competitive advantage for the companies.

The push by the Teamsters comes as a shortage of experienced drivers in the trucking industry is prompting companies to hike pay and offer improved working conditions.

The International Brotherhood Teamsters, which represents 1.4 million workers and is one of North America's most powerful unions, has long tried to unionize workers at FedEx Corp and last month won votes to have union representation at two local FedEx Freight facilities out of three holding secret ballots.

Five ballots are scheduled at FedEx Freight facilities this month, with the next due on Nov. 12 in Newark, New Jersey.

With the exception of its pilots, FedEx's workforce is non-unionized. While pay for its drivers is above that of some competitors, its larger rival United Parcel Service Inc pays its unionized drivers more, and FedEx has higher profit margins.

The Teamsters also won two out of four recent ballots at Con-way Freight, part of Con-way Inc, which according to industry estimates pays slightly more than FedEx but less than UPS.

The Teamsters declined to comment for this article.

The expanding U.S. economy has driven up freight demand at a time when older truckers are retiring and fewer new drivers are signing up. That shortage hurts long-haul truckers more than less-than-truckload operators like FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight, which fill up trucks with smaller orders from multiple customers. But it has forced up pay across the industry.

"Drivers and dock workers currently have the ball in their court, and it may be there for a long while," Cowen & Co analyst Jason Seidl said in an Oct. 30 client note, adding Con-way's battle against the Teamsters could weigh on its results short term.

Both companies are fighting the unionization effort. After the Teamsters scored wins against Con-way, one in September and one in October, the company filed objections to the ballots with the National Labor Relations Board claiming the union intimidated workers, and emphasizes the union's victories affect only two out of around 300 facilities.

FedEx has said it is weighing an appeal with the NLRB against the most recent vote in favor of union representation on Oct. 31 at a facility in New Jersey.

While gains have so far been small - there are only about 150 drivers at the FedEx Freight facilities where the Teamsters won ballots - the union said on its website other campaigns were under way.

"The aim here appears to be to unionize an entire sector," said Dan Cornfield, a Vanderbilt University labor analyst.

But it could be an uphill struggle.

According to data compiled by industry expert SJ Consulting Group Inc, as of July this year Con-way Freight drivers made $24.75 an hour, while FedEx Freight drivers earned $24.40. Among unionized companies, wages at ArcBest Corp were $23.17 and $21.10 at YRC Worldwide Inc.

Unionized truckers at UPS Freight make an estimated $26.65.

SJ Consulting founder Satish Jindel said the Teamsters will likely face difficulty persuading FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight drivers that collective bargaining is a boon when two major unionized carriers pay less.

"FedEx Freight and Con-way are seasoned campaigners, as they have been fighting unionization for decades," he said. "They are not going to be easy targets for the Teamsters."

Monday, November 10, 2014

First of all Greg you have proven yourself to be a liar once again!! Your site claims that that the union is making promises it can't keep. What promises are you talking about ???
The union reps have NEVER promised anything to us, they have always said that everything is negotiable!

LIE #2 Next you claim that the confidentiality of card are not guaranteed! No one is going to find out who signs a card other that the organizer and the NLRB agent.

LIE #3 Authorization cards are only valid for ONE year! You claim that they have no expiration date! LIAR!

LIE #4 Under the law we only have 1 year to negotiate a contract, it's really funny how you word your sentences on your site Negotiating a first contract can take many months or even a year or more to negotiate. It's almost like your trying to twist your words to make people believe that it will take longer than a year but in reality YOU KNOW DAMN WELL what the law states! LIE #5 You claim that the union can't guarantee job security.. YES they can Greg! You know damn well we are "at will" employees and you and your gestapo managers can fire us for ANY reason! When we have a contract we will be "JUST CAUSE" employees and this is why the union can guarantee job security. LIE #6 Super seniority.. Are you kidding me!! What freight contract has "super seniority" in them? That might have worked in the past but tell me is that something you would agree to in a contract?? Stewards are necessary to file grievances and to represent members at our facilities, but you fail to mention that stewards only have limited powers, We will have a union business agent that takes care of all of our issues and that is something you don't want Greg, right? Greg it really looks like your getting really desperate, how much longer will you be at the helm of the Conway ship? Your opening letter states that Conway Freight respects employees rights to unionization. LIAR!! If you indeed respected that fact you wouldn't be trying so hard to sway us from making an informed decision on the union. Why don't you allow the union to come into our yards and talk to us about the union if you respect our rights! Your a numbskull, you still don't get it do you?! It's never been about the money, it's never been about our equipment, it's always been about Conways always changing work rules, disrespect from our supervisors and managers, cameras in the tractors, healthcare, pension! Our total rewards package does lead in our industry, leading right to the BOTTOM!

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Word from management is that the Teamsters have given up on Conway here in the Los Angeles area. That is a lie that the Conway want's to spread to break our spirit and make us give up hope on change. Conway will try anything and everything to stop this movement, It's not going to happen!!! Us in ULX voted YES for the the union and it's the company that is delaying this by bringing up bullshit charges just like they did in Laredo. We really need to show our management that we will no longer put up with the fear and intimidation that they love to spread on us. We need to show our POWER! We have the POWER to change things here at Conway, POWER, untapped and waiting to be released on them. The Irvine Ca terminal campaign is alive and kicking, they just haven't pin pointed a date for the election. That only makes them a lot stronger at the end and they will prove to be successful and will beat Conway's lies and deceptions. A word to Conway management, YOU should fear US not the other way around. We will be successful in our fight to gain a fair contract. Be worried Conway management, be VERY worried!! Conway is in the crosshairs of a rude awakening! Be ready brothers and stay ready!!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

My dear
friends, I come to you speaking only the truth. There has never been any lies
on our part here to try to sway you in anyway. We are just here shining light
on the deception, greed, and evil within Conway. They have done nothing but lie
to us, cheat us, and for some of us, terminate us. We have only been seeking
change to better ourselves and to secure our piece of the prosperity that we’ve
helped create for Conway. They have brought union busters to try and break us.
All they do is try to intimidate us and make us believe that the union is bad
for us. We need to look past the lies, the empty promises, and the threats.
Election Day for Miami is December 11th and between now and then they will try
everything to get us to vote no. Starting in January 2015 they will begin to
implement the point system rules of the electronic on board recorder (E.O.B.R.).
They will watch every move we make, any minor mistake, distraction, anything to
get rid of us. Conway’s executives are looking to get rid of 900 of us using
these means. Let’s deal another blow to Conway on December 11th. We need work
rules be put on paper and have that be a binding, legal document. Vote YES!

Ladies and
Gentlemen, to those just that are negative and those who won't vote because
they say the union is not good for us well guess what, you are only shooting
yourself in your own foot. I will tell
you that not only are we going to WIN BIG!!! We have the majority of the votes.
You are only jeopardizing yourselves, your job, and your families. What's happening here is the opportunity to
earn back the Respect we long for and always to be treated with Dignity which
we Deserve.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Congratulations South Brunswick New Jersey, SBR! You can now proudly say "WE ARE TEAMSTERS"! Your fellow brothers and sisters stood strong and united and proved to the naysayers no matter what hurdles were thrown in your path you would be victorious. We all owe our brothers and sisters at SBR a great deal of gratitude for invigorating and inspiring our fellow brothers and sisters as they continue in their own campaigns to 'Bring the Teamsters to FedEx Freight' to their centers. Have a great night and weekend SBR, you DID IT!!! 66 yes 42 no

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Conway's lawyers and union busters were at the ULX terminal trying to get statements from non supportive drivers to say that they were harassed or intimidated during the campaign. This is bullshit!! It's the same bullshit that they did in Laredo. It's time for us to stand up and punch our company in the gut !!! We should all walk the fuck out and show Conway who has the power!

Paul was having his goons spread the rumor that they were going to close down LX because we voted union. Bullshit ! Paul, you know damn well your breaking the law.

Conway management, we know now that WE have the power, we will win this!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

JC 10 and Local 633 Rally at ConWay Freight

ConWay Freight Employees Receive Encouragement and Support from JC 10 and Local 633

NE Teamsters Joint Council 10 and Teamster Local 633 Principal Officer David W Laughton joined Joint Council 10 Organizer Roger Travers at the ConWay Freight terminal in Manchester NH. Business Agents Kevin Foley and Rick Laughton along with active and retired members of Teamsters Local 633 attended the rally in support of the hard working men and women employed by ConWay. On November 13, 2014, the NLRB will administer a vote for the drivers and dock workers at the Manchester terminal. This will be their opportunity to have a voice in the terms and conditions of their employment with the unwavering support of the Teamsters Local 633 with regard to their representation as the exclusive bargaining representative.

The Officers, Agents and members are at the gates day and night supporting their future brothers and sisters.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

We need to
contact local 104 and ask them how they petitioned fed ex for a driver only
union and that's what we have to do. Today I asked a dock worker what he
thought of the union flat out he said if the union comes in we are fired I was
shocked to know this guy was a little clueless. After I informed him that it's
against the law for Conway to fire u for wanting the union he said that that's
what was told to him by management. Management is breaking the law by
threatening people with dismissal if they try to put the union in. From now on
every time you walk in the office or around a supervisor put your phone on
record and record someone breaking the law like our friends in Laredo.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Ulx Terminal won election, we were short on ula and ufv we
will learn from this do not despair we have many more opportunities to make a
stand.knowledge and wisdom is gained by experience and experience is learned by
our failures.lets support and help our brothers and sisters in New Hampshire win
their election on November 13.

Greg & Neil
In your latest propaganda letter ( Guarantees ) handed to us last night you state that the union has spread negative rumors about our future. We want to know what the FUCK you talking about?? The union has never spread negative rumors, they have never promised anything but the chance to negotiate a CONTRACT. Something BOTH of you have with Conway Freight Inc. Why are you trying to deny us that right ???

The union has never told us that the company will fire us, lay us off, or disciplined for supporting or opposing the union, in fact they informed us that we a PROTECTED by federal rights to organize a union at Conway. The only threats of firings, discipline or layoff are coming from your management team and the non-union supporters they have sent to spread that fear and intimidation.

We can all laugh at you for this one! YOU can guarantee that we will be treated with DIGNITY AND RESPECT !!!! You come in from the marble palace for a few days and know what the daily operation of our service centers are ??? We all know that these morons running our centers DO NOT treat us with DIGNITY AND RESPECT !!!

We are glad you "guarantee" that the wages YOU promised the DRIVERS will be implemented in 2015. But why weren't the dock workers included in that wage increase? And why didn't you guarantee that our hours are not going to be cut, or our health care won't be increased ??? You think we don't know that you can guarantee all these things but it's not a legal binding contract!!! Why didn't you have it notarized ??? We know the bullshit your trying to feed us!

And WE WILL ALL be glad to pay union dues for the DIGNITY AND RESPECT you claim we have now.

Can YOU guys guarantee that you will still BE EMPLOYED by Conway Freight Inc. to abide by your signed guarantee ?? Your signatures won't mean shit if you guys get fired or choose to take your golden parachute! Why don't you save the ink and negotiate a good contract with the Teamsters and put those signatures in a TEAMSTER CONTRACT!

A CONTRACT is a legal binding document that you can't back out of regardless if you guys get fired, a contract will stand regardless.

A CONTRACT will guarantee that you will treat us with DIGNITY AND RESPECT!

A CONTRACT will guarantee that our wages will not be taken away and will only increase from the 27.10 that you have GUARANTEED!

Today Teamsters Local 769 has filed a petition to organize the Conway Freight employees at
the Miami location.
“Following the successful organizing of the Conway Freight in Laredo Texas and the three
elections slated for later this week in California. we see a wave of organizing activity within this
company.”, said Teamsters Local 769 President and Principal Officer Mike Scott.
The employees recognize the strength of Teamsters bargaining power and want to be part of
our team.

Monday, October 13, 2014

This is for those dock workers at ULA that are in doubt of what a union contract could possibly bring to you. What has Conway promised you? What have they said about the raise they promised the drivers? They haven't said anything but "there maybe a slight raise for the dock workers in the future. Well look at what the UPS Freight dock workers make with a contract! They do the EXACT same job you do and they have better benefits. If you think the company really cares about you think again. They care about no one but the stock holders and will get rid of you in a heart beat with out a contract.

Q. How does the union work?A.A union is a democratic
organization of a majority of the employees in a facility. The basicidea of a
union is that by joining together with fellow employees to form a union,
workers have a greater ability to improve conditions at the work site. In other
words, "in unity there is strength."

Q.
What will be in our contract?
A. It is for
the union employees to decide what to negotiate for. Your co-workers are
already talking about many issues that are important to them at union meetings.
After you win union recognition, you will select a negotiating committee from
among your co-workers. Then, with the assistance of union negotiators, the
committee will sit down with management to negotiate a contract. The law says
that both sides must bargain "in good faith" to reach an agreement on
wages, benefits, and working conditions. The contract will only take effect
after it is approved (ratified) by a majority of the workers. It is not
possible to know exactly what will be in the first contract. Our goal will be
to win improvements with each contract.

Q.
Who runs the union?
A.The union is
a democratic organization run by the members. Members elect the local officers.
You vote on many issues of importance to you. You vote on your contract. Union
members elect delegates to national conventions, where delegates elect national
officers and vote on major issues affecting the union such as constitutional
amendments. The union is the people themselves.

Q.
Won't it cost the company a lot money if the union comes in?
A.In the short
run, it's true that unions cost employers more in terms of wages and benefits.
But in the long run, that doesn't necessarily hurt the employer. Many unions
are good for the employers as well as for the workers. The reason is simple.
With a union there is higher morale, and there is a mechanism for workers to
have a voice in how the workplace operates. Satisfied employees are more
productive, and less likely to quit, so there is less turnover. Also,
management benefits when it gets input from the workers on how the operation
could be run better.

Q.Can I be fired for participating in the
campaign?A. First of all, the law prohibits
any employer from discriminating against people in any way because of their
union activity. If an employer does harass or discriminate against a union
supporter, the union files a charge with the Labor Board, and prosecutes the
employer to the fullest extent.
The best safeguard against the employer harassing anyone is for everybody to
stick together and win their union. Without a union, management has a free hand
to treat people as they please. But with a union, everyone has the protection
of a union contract.

Q.What
can the union do about favoritism?
A.Fairness is
the most important part of the union contract. The same rules apply to
everyone. If any worker feels that he or she is not being treated fairly, then
he or she, of course, still has the opportunity to complain to the supervisor,
just like before. But under a union contract, the supervisor or manager no longer
has the final say. They are no longer judge and jury. If the worker is not
satisfied with the response of the supervisor, the worker can file a grievance.
The first step of a grievance procedure is for the steward to accompany the
worker to try to work it out with the supervisor. If the worker is not
satisfied, the steward and the employee, with help from the Union Business
Manager, can bring the grievance to higher management. If the complaint is not
resolved, then the issue can be placed before an outside neutral judge called
an arbitrator.

Q.
Management is hinting that we could lose the benefits we now have.Is
that true?A.The purpose of forming a union is to win improvements in
wages and benefits, not to lose them. We start with what we have and go up. On
average, unionized workers earn a third more than non-union workers in wages
and benefits. Occasionally in organized facilities workers agree to grant
concessions to aid an ailing company, but this comes after years of winning
improvements. The employees vote on whether or not to accept a contract. Would
you vote to accept a contract that took away your benefits? Think about it. If
having a union meant that the employer could reduce your benefits, why would
the employer be fighting the union so hard? Besides, it is against the law for
the employer to retaliate against the union by taking away wages or benefits.

Q.
What about all those meetings we're having where management talks about the
union being bad and corrupt?
A. The employer
would like you to think that unions are corrupt. The truth is that unions are
decent, honest organizations dedicated to improving the lives of working
people. Nothing is perfect, and there have been examples of union officials who
have not been honest. But the same is true of government officials and business
leaders. There are a few bad apples in any group of people. Telling you not to
vote for a union because there have been some corrupt officials is like telling
you never to work for a company because a company official has been corrupt.

Q.
The employer says the union can't guarantee us anything. Can you?
A. The union
can guarantee this: that when workers stick together as a union they have more
bargaining power and more of a voice than they do as individuals. When the
union wins, you will negotiate a contract with the employer. We can make no
promises on what the contract will contain. That is for you to decide when you
vote on your contract. We can guarantee that the contract will be legally
binding, and the union will make sure the contract is enforced.

Q.Management
says the union is just after our dues money. Why shouldwepay
money to the union?
A. Dues are
used to run your union and keep it strong. The dues are divided between the
local union and the national union. The money is used to provide expert
services to your local union, including negotiators, lawyers, economists, and
educators; to pay the salaries of officers and staff, including organizers; to
provide newsletters and conferences. The local union's money is used for
reimbursing stewards for lost time, for the union hall, and for other expenses
of your union. Did you know that the employer also pays dues to organizations?
Employers have their own ''unions" - such as the Chamber of Commerce or
the National Association of Manufacturers. They pay for representation-why
shouldn't you? Besides, since when is the company so concerned about your
money?

Q.
How much are Union Dues?
A. Dues are 2 1/2 times your hourly rate, once a month and are tax deductible. However, no dues are paid until the majority
of workers vote to accept a contract they helped to negotiate. All initiation
fees will be waived for members in newly organized units.

Q.
Management has hinted there will be a strike if we organize.
A. Management
talks a lot about strikes during an organizing drive. Did they tell you that
over 98% of union contracts are settled without a strike? There could only be a
strike if the employees vote for the strike. And it's only smart to vote for a
strike if you know you can win. The employer doesn't want a strike any more
than the workers do, so everyone has an incentive to reach a compromise during
bargaining. Unions have developed a lot of other tactics that can put pressure
on management to reach a fair agreement. For example, unions use boycotts or corporate
campaigns or community support, rather than necessarily having to resort to
striking.

Q.
How do we go about getting a union here?
A.We've
already taken the important first steps in forming a union. We've formed a
voluntary organizing committee of which many of you are members. This committee
was formed to investigate and to inform of the ways that a union may help us.
We've held meetings to inform other employees as to what their rights are now
and the rights they gain by forming a union. Now it's all up to us to vote
Union and to ask others to vote for their future by VOTING UNION .

Q.
What does signing the card mean?
A.It means you
want the union. The card is a commitment of support. And, it gives us the legal
support for an open and free union election.

unions4workers

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